Chapter 1

Lyra’s POV

My heartrate quickened. Looking around I found myself in the middle of the woods, it was quiet not even a leaf dared to make a sound. The darkness took over the woods; there was no movement. Then the sky turned red, my heartrate picking up. I slowly turned around, and my gaze slowly made its way up. A Blood Moon. It was something you only read in fairytales.

But I was staring right at it.

When a Blood Moon appeared, it is said it’s a night when the veil between beast and man thins to a whisper. Its light doesn’t soothe; it burns. And according to those that call themselves Legends, they say the Blood Moon tests the bond between wolf and human. Those who had both sides emerge stronger, reborn under its firelight. The one who choose to resist usually end up lost in madness, forever cursed to wander as their beast form and never to return to their human form.

All a bunch of bullshit if you ask me, but now that I was staring right at it made me question my own logic.

As I took a step back the earth beneath my feet started to shift, almost breathing. In the distance a voice spoke, it spoke in a language that I didn’t understand. I hesitantly took a step forward, then another without my permission. Something was pulling me, gentle at first, then stronger, like an invisible thread was tied to me and whoever was on the other side of that string wanted me closer.

I was being pulled closer to a side of the forest that was pitch black. The air grew colder. My heart pounded hard against my ribcage; the sound echoed in my ears.

Then, I saw them.

Eyes.

Bright red eyes, that stared right through to my soul. The feelings of comfort, familiarity, fear, danger were mixing within me. My breathing started to become irregular, my throat felt like it was closing, closing off my air flow.

What was this feeling?

Who or what wore those eyes?

I wanted to scream but I couldn't, like I had no voice to scream with.

“W-why am I here?” I whispered, though I didn’t know why I spoke at all. Not like I would be able to reason with a creature I had no idea what it was. My gaze was locked on the glowing red eyes.

It didn’t answer. Only the sound of rustling leafs in the distance, then mournful howls filled the air. A shiver ran down my spine, my pulse still racing. If only I ran a marathon than my doctor would be proud of my heartrate.

Then the sound of the voice I heard earlier filled my ears, “You cannot resist what is meant to be yours.”

With one more pull I was pulled into the darkness.

I gasped and woke.

I sat upright in bed, breath ragged, sweat clung to my skin. I swallowed but my throat was dry like an ashtray, throwing my legs off the bed I rested my face in my hands trying to steady my breathing. I just sat there trying to compose myself. After a few minutes I made my way to my feet and strolled toward the window. Staring out at the forest beyond the glass, it was still, silent, ordinary.

This wasn’t the first time I had a dream similar to that one. It had been happening more frequently, when I was younger, I had a dream once or twice a month. Now, it has been happening almost every night and it was getting tiresome. If only I could figure out what those dreams meant, but who would I ask. Anyone who would hear that story would think I’m crazy and put me into a mental hospital.

My eyes narrowed, “What did that voice mean by, I cannot resist what is meant to be mine? Maybe it was just silly words my mind played on me.” I muttered to myself as I made my way to the bathroom.

I splashed water onto my face and looked at myself in the mirror, then my eyes flashed red. Stumbling back, my alarm blared making me jump. “Shit!” I clenched my chest my heartrate high once more. Taking a big breath, I turned on the shower. “So much for going back to bed.” I muttered to myself.

Steading myself against the shower wall, closing my eyes. “What was it with that damn forest? And that dream?” Shaking my head, pushing the thought aside.

***

Walking through the lively street of a little town called Moonvale. The streets were filled with people every day, some made their way to work and some only hung around to support the small businesses stationed along the street. I have lived here my entire life, I was raised here, not born here due to the nearest hospital being a town over that is about forty miles from here.

I love this town, it has always been so lively, and the people here are always friendly despite the resent wolf attacks that had been happening. The town had been put on a curfew, everyone had to be in their homes at six. I didn’t mind it, I didn’t go out with friends, not that I had any friends to begin with. Strange how someone who has lived in the same town for her whole life not to have one single friend.

But I didn’t mind it, I was better on my own anyway. Though that isn’t the only reason I don’t have any friends, it’s because I was treated differently. So much so that kids teased me in school for being the weird kid. They had always overheard my parents explaining to the teacher that I wouldn’t be attending school due to my nightmares. I’m not sure if one can call it nightmares but sometimes it felt like it.

I never really fitted in here, but the town is nice. It’s a soothing and beautiful place; it is in a secluded mountain area so one can’t just leave such a stunning place.

As I reached a news stand, I took a newspaper and stared at the page.

Headline: Two bodies found in the woods (Wolf attack).

I let out a soft sigh, two more people’s life’s taken by wolves. My parents were also victims to these resent attacks. The police are doing their best to find out what the cause is for these attacks, but they have yet come up with a reason. They keep on saying, ‘It’s an ongoing investigation,’ yeah just like my parents’ case. Still ongoing.

I set the newspaper back and then got a strange feeling that I was being watched. It’s a strange feeling; you can feel when someone’s gaze is only fixed on you. I looked around but I didn’t notice anyone out of the ordinary. Pushing the feeling aside and made my way to work.

I noticed a police car parked at the sidewalk, “Not my money, not my circus.” I muttered to myself as I made my way through the front doors, then my manager rushed over to me, panting.

“Please… You need to take this scoop.” She stuffed a file into my hands.

“Maggie, you know I’m not allowed to go out into the field.” I start paging through the file. “And a hello would be nice.”

“Yeah, yeah whatever. Please, no one here wants to do this case. We need this scoop, you’re the only one.” She met my gaze, pleading.

I sighed then looked at the page; it’s a new victim of a wolf attack. Alice Roodwell. I looked at Maggie with a sad expression, “She’s only sixteen.”

“Was sixteen. She went out with friends after her parents told her not to, so this was the results. Please, her friends are being questioned by the police as we speak. Here is the location.” She handed me a piece of paper.

Looking at it, my eyes narrowed, “This is by the woods.”

“Yeah. Now you understand why no one wants to go. By the way there is an officer waiting outside to take you there, maybe you can get more out of the kids then the police.” She turned making her way back to her office.

“Maggie.” I said with annoyance.

“Thank you!” She said as she entered her office.

Sighing, I turned and exited the building.